Road maintainer attachment

ABSTRACT

A road maintainer attachment for use on a tractor-type road maintainer and comprising a dozer attachment adapted to operate at the side of the vehicle, for example, in cleaning or smoothing the shoulders of a highway and under guard rails disposed therealong. The attachment is formed of extensible and retractible sections so that it will have maximum reach when extended and minimum overall length when retracted. This provides for efficient use of the attachment without increasing the overall width of the vehicle on which it is mounted.

United States Patent 3,117,632 1/1964 Caggiano,.lr ..172/98 X Ruth et al. 1 51' Oct. 17,1972

[54] ROAD MAINTAINER ATTACHMENT 2,709,859 6/1955 Pilch..l ..l72/305 [72] Invcmors: Harold Ruth, Caledonia; James 3,008,251 11/1961 Clme et al. ..l72/305 WThomPsonAshley both ofohio 3,407,947 10/1968 Valla ..2l4/141 [73] Assignee: A-T-O lnc., Willoughby, Ohio Primary Examiner-Robert E. Pulfrey I Assistant Examiner-Stephen C. Pellegrino [22] Flled' 1970 Attorney-Mahoney, Miller & Stebens [21] App]. No.: 88,689

[57] ABSTRACT 52 us. (:1. .;172/305, 172/667, 172/731 A road m ntainer chment for use o a tractor- 511 m. c1 A0lb 59/046, AOlb 65/00, y road maintainer and comprising doler I I A0) 63/104 tachment adapted to operate at the side of the vehicle, 58 Field of Search ..172/305, 281, 667', 673, 741, for pl in cleaning or smoothing the Shoulders of 172/781, 214/141 a highway and under guard rails disposed therealong. V

. v v The attachment is formed of extensible and retractible t sections so that it will have maximum reach when ex- [56] Re erences tended and minimum overall length when retracted. UNITED STATES PATENTS This provides for efficient use of the attachment 2 348 9 Fer erda et al 172/305 1 without increasing the over-all width of the vehicle on W h t 1 2,798,315 7/1957 Gifford ......172/305 1 w 3 4 Claims, 1 1 Drawing Figures PATENTEnncI 17 1912 SHEET 1 0F 5 INVENTORS HAROLD C. RUTH JAMES W. THOMPSON MAHOBlx EhMlLLysTEB NS ATTORNEYS PATENTEDnm 11 m2 SHEET 3 OF 5 INVENTORS' Ln j HAROLD c. RUTH BY JAMES w. THOMPSON MAHONEY MILLER 8. ST BENS ATTORNEYS PME'mEDnm 11 I972 SHEET U BF 5 INVENTORS HAROLD C. RUTH BY JAMES W. THOMPSON S E w w B M m R m/m M A L w OY B M PATENTEDncmmz 3698.487

sum 5 or 5 INVENTORS HAROLD c. RUTH BY JAMES w. THOMPSON MAHONEY,MILLER 8. STEBENS ATTORNEYS l ROAD MAINTAINER ATTACHMENT ble sections with the innermost section being rigidly supported on the maintainer in a novel manner. In addition, there are provided a plurality of independently actuated operating cylinders connected to the respective support sections in' a novel manner so that all or selected sections can be extended to obtain the desired travel of the supported dozer blade. When the plurality of support sections are extended, maximum travel is obtained, but when retracted, the over-all length of the support sections is minimal so that there will be no overhang at the sides of the maintainer.

The best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which: e r

F IG. 1 is a perspective view of.a tractor-type maintainer on which the dozer attachment is applied, showing the attachment in partially extended condition.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view of the attachment taken from the position indicated at line 2-2 of FIG. 1 but showing the attachment retracted.

' FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view taken through the attachment alongline 3-3 of FIG. 2, showing the attachment in retracted condition.

FIG. 4 is a similar view, but showing the attachment in extended condition.

FIG. 5 is a plan view, partly cut away, taken from the position indicated by the line 5-5 in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged horizontal, partly cut away, sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged transverse sectional view'taken along line 77 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged transverse sectional view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 2'.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view, partly cut away, taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 10 is a vertical sectional view taken along line 10-10 ofFlG. 8.

FIG. 11 is a vertical sectional view taken along line 11-11 ofFIG. 7.

With reference to the drawings, in FIG. 1 there is illustrated generally a road maintainer 15 of a tractortype which is provided with the usual A-frame support 16 which has pivoted thereto at its forward end by a universal pivot joint the usual moldboard mounting support member 18. This member 18 is of rigid construction and has the upstanding attaching flanges 19 at its opposite ends which are used in mounting the usual maintainer blade on the tractor. A horizontal cylinder and piston unit 20 is connected between the A-frame 16 and this support member 18 for adjusting the support member in a horizontal plane about the pivot joint 17 and a vertical cylinder and piston unit 21 is connected between the member 18 and an upstanding sup- I port 22 on the tractor for adjusting the member 18 in a vertical plane. With this arrangement, the support member 18 may be adjusted to any desired angular position longitudinally or vertically about the joint 17. The structure so far described is the structure usually provided on a road maintainer of the general type indicated. v r I The dozer attachment of this invention, as previously indicated, is adapted to operate at the side of the tractor 15 and is indicated generally by the numeral 25. It is designed to be fastened to and supported by the adjustable support member 18. o

. To mount the attachment 25 on the support 18, a pair of support and guide brackets are provided as part of the attachment and include an outer bracket 26 and an inner bracket 27. Thetwo brackets are substantially identical and each includes a guide sleeve portion 30 with an attaching flange 28 of inverted L-form welded thereto and braced byan angularly disposed gusset 29. The flanges 28 of the respective brackets are disposed directly adjacent theflanges 19 at the respective ends of the support 18 and these adjacent flanges are rigidly clamped together by the removable clamping bolts 31. Thus, it will be apparent that the entire attachment 25 can be removed from the support 18 by removal of the bolts 31 to permit remounting of the usual maintainer blade thereon. Each guide sleeve portion 30 is of rectangular tubular form and it will be noted that the attaching portion of the flange 28 is directly behind the guide portion 30.

The guide portions 30 of the respective brackets 26 and 27 are in axial alignment and are adapted to receive and supportan extensible and retractible telescopic support structure supports the dozerblade 35 of the attachment 25. This support structure includes the outer tubular member 36 of rectangular cross-section which is slidably mounted in the opposed guide portions 30 of the brackets. Each of the guide portions 30 is provided on theinner surfaces of its upper and lower walls with longitudinally extending liner strips 37 which are bolted thereto by the bolts 38 so that they can be removed and replaced when worn. Welded to the adjacent respective surfaces of the support 36 are bearing strips 39 which are in face contact with the strips 37 and extend most of the length of the member 36. Also, to prevent lateral movement of the outer support member 36 in the guide portions 30, longitudinal guide strips 41 are fixed on the interior surfaces of the sidewalls of the guide portiond 30 for engaging the member 36 at its lower portion. This bearing arrangement permits reciprocation of the support 36 in the guide portions 30. It will be noted from FIG. 2 that the outer support 36 is longer than the support l8and in its initial position, beneath the tractor 15, extends outwardly from the respective guide portions 30.

For reciprocating the outer member 36 in the guides 30, a shift cylinder and piston unit 40 is provided being preferably hydraulically actuated and of the doubleacting type. The cylinder of this unit is mounted alongside the member 36 at its rear side (FIG. 2) with its inner end anchored to the flange 28 of the bracket 27 at 42 and projecting outwardly through bracket 26. The outer end of the piston rod 43 of the unit 40 is connected by brackets 44 (FIG. 2, 5 and 6) to the outer support member 36 adjacent its outer end. Thus, by controlling the supply of fluid to-the cylinder and piston unit 40, the outer support member 36 may be reciprocated in the guides 30 relative to the respective brackets 26 and 27. I

Telescopically disposed relative to the outer support member 36 is an inner support member 46 of smaller rectangular tubular cross-section. This member 46 is slidably mounted within the member 36 and projects from the outer end thereof to carry the dozer blade 35. This blade is of the usual type and is rigidly connected to the outer end of the support 46 by a suitable bracket 47. The blade may carry the usual skids 48 at its rear side. As indicated, the member 46 is slidably mounted within the support 36 for telescopic movement relative thereto to permit extension and retraction. Scrapers 49 are mounted on the outer end of the member 36 (FIG. 3, 4 and 6) at its upper and lower sides to aid in keeping the upper and lower surfaces of the support 46 clean so as to minimize entrance of dirt into the support 36 at its outer end.

The support 46 is slidably mounted within the support 36 by the bearing arrangement illustrated best in FIGS. 8 and that is provided at the outer end of the support 36 and is carried thereby. Identical bearings, designated generally at 55, are carried by the top and bottom walls of the member 36 for engaging the member 46. Each bearing includes a longitudinally extending bearing strip or wear plate 56 which is disposed in a longitudinal slot in the wall of the outer support 36 and has an inner surface that bears against the outer surface of the associated wall of the inner support 46. Each strip 56 is bolted by bolts 57 to a cover strip or plate 58 which is removably fastened to the outer surface of thewall of the member 36 by means of the bolts 59. In order to accurately position the inner surface of the wear strip 56, a shim 54 of proper thickness may be provided between the cover plate 58 and the support 36.

A similar bearing arrangement is provided on the inner end of the support 46 for engaging the support 36 and is shown best in FIGS. 2, 7 and 11. The bearings designated generally at 55a are carried by the top and bottom walls of the support 46 for engaging the member 36. Each bearing includes a longitudinally extending bearing strip or wear plate 61 disposed in a longitudinal slot in the associated wall of the support 46. The strip 61 is bolted by bolts 62 to a mounting strip 63 which is fixed to the inner surface of the wall support 46. Thus, the inner support 46 will be effectively supported for sliding in and out of the outer support 36 by the bearings 55 and 55a.

In order to extend and retract the support 46 relative to the support 36, a double-acting shift cylinder and piston unit 60, preferably hydraulic, is provided as shown in FIGS. 3, 5 and 6. This unit is disposed within the support 46 and the inner end of its cylinder is anchored by a yoke 64 and a transverse pin 66 (FIG. 9) to the inner end of the outer support 36. The pin 66 is supported near its outer ends by the sleeves 67 connected to the outer support 36 and the inner end of the support 46 is notched at 68 to engage these sleeves. Movement of the inner support 46 into the outer support 36 is limited by the pin 66 contacting the outer support 36. The outer end of the piston rod 65 of this unit 60 is connectedby a'similar pin and yoke arrangement 66a (FIG. 3) to the outer end of the inner support 46. Thus, by controlling the supply of fluid to the cylinder and piston unit 60, the inner support 46 may be reciprocated in and out relative to the outer support 36.

The usual controls (not shown) may be provided for the respective units 40 and 6 0 so that they may be actuated independently.

To mount the attachment 25 on the maintainer 15, it is merely necessary to remove the usual maintainer moldboard from the support 18 and then to attach the attachment flanges 28 to the flanges 19 on the member 18 by means of the bolts 31. This will mount the brackets 26 and 27 on the support 18, and it will be apparent that all parts of the attachment are carried by these brackets. The dozer blade 35 will be in retracted position initially, as indicated in FIGS. 2 and 3, and the cylinders and piston units 16 and 21 may be actuated to adjust the blade angularly horizontally or vertically as indicated by broken lines in FIG. 2.

Assuming it is desired to move the dozer blade 35 outwardly, fluid pressure is supplied to the cylinder and piston unit 60 to extend the rod thereof as indicated in FIG. 4. This will move the blade support 46 axially outwardly from the end of the outer support 36, as also indicated in FIG. 1, and thus move the blade 35 outwardly to the'limit of the movement of the piston rod and, at this time, the inner end of the support 46, which carries the bearing 55a, will still be within the outer end of the support 36. If additional outward travel of the blade 35 is desired, fluid pressure is applied to the cylinder and piston unit 40. This will move the piston rod 43 outwardly, as indicated in FIGS. 4 and 5, to extend the rod 43 thereof and to thereby move the outer support 36 axially outwardly relative to the spaced brackets 26 and 27, and thus move the dozer blade 35 farther outwardly. To retract the blade 35, fluid pressure for the cylinder and piston unit 40 is controlled to retract the rod 43 and, therefore, retract the outer support 36 inwardly of the brackets 26 and 27 to its initial position. Then fluid pressure for the cylinder and piston unit 60 is controlled, to retract the piston rod 65 and thus retract the inner support 46 into the outer support 36, returning the blade 35 to its initial position shown in FIG. 2, at which time, it will not be in a projecting position at the side of the tractor 15. Either cylinder and piston unit 40 or 60 may be operated independently of the other if the maximum travel of the dozer blade 35 is not required.

It will be apparent from the above that this invention provides a novel maintainer attachment which can be substituted readily for the usual maintainer moldboard mounted on the machine. The attachment is such that it can be readily applied to or moved from the usual support for the maintainer moldboard upon removal and replacement of the two sets of bolts for mounting the pair of guide brackets of the attachment. The dozer blade support comprises telescopically connected supports which may be extended or retracted relative to each other and to the supporting brackets to obtain maximum travel of the dozer blade when extended and to occupy a minimum of space on the maintainer when retracted.

Having thus described my invention, what is claimed is: 1. A road maintainer attachment adapted to be applied to a suitable vehicle comprising a dozer blade, a

first elongated tubular support for the blade having the blade attached to the outer end thereof, a second elongated tubular support into which the inner end of the first support axially telescopes, a fluid-actuated cylinder and piston unit axially disposed within the first support and connected to the first support adjacent its outer end and to the second support adjacent its inner end for extending and retracting the first support axi-' ally relative to the second support, an attaching and guide unit for supporting the second support for reciprocating movement axially in the same general direction as the relative axial telescopic movement of the first and second supports, said attaching and guide unit including apair'of inner and outer, spaced apart attaching and guide brackets, each of the brackets having a guide sleeve with the sleeves of the respective brackets axially aligned and adapted to slidably receive the second support member, and each of the brackets having an attaching portion adapted to be removably secured to a suitable support on the vehicle, and a second fluid-actuated cylinder and piston unit disposed alongside the second support with its opposite ends connected respectively to the second support adjacent its outer end and to the inner attaching and guide bracket for reciprocating the second support relative to said attaching and guide unit.

2. An attachment according to claim 1 in which the first and second supports are of rectangular tubular form with the first support being smaller and fitting within the second support, bearings between adjacent walls of the supports carried by the outer end of the second support and the inner end of the first support, said bracket sleeves being of rectangular tubular form and the second support being of smaller cross-section and telescoping within said sleeves, and bearings between adjacent walls of the respective sleeves and said second support.

, 3. A road maintainer attachment adapted to be applied to a suitable vehicle comprising an elongated support member having means for mounting on the vehicle and attaching flanges at its opposite ends and extending generally transversely of the vehicle with said support being mounted for adjustment in both horizontal and vertical planes, a dozer blade, a first elongated tubular support for the blade having the blade attached to the outer end thereof, a second elongated tubular support into which the inner end of the first support axially telescopes, a fluid-actuated cylinder and piston unit connected between the first support and the second support for extending and retracting the first support axially relative to the second support, an attaching and guide unit for supporting the second support for reciprocating movement axially in the same general direction as the relative axial telescopic movement of the first and second supports, said attaching and guide unit including a pair of inner and outer spaced attaching and guide brackets, each of the brackets having a guide sleeve with the sleeves of the respective brackets axially aligned and adapted to slidably receive the second support member, each of the brackets having an attaching portion disposed adjacent to and in cooperation with said flanges, and removable bolts connecting said attaching flanges and attaching portions, and a second fluid-actuated cylinder and piston unit connected between the second support and said attaching and guide unit for recrproca ing the second support relative to that unit.

4. A road maintainer attachment adapted to be applied to a suitable vehicle comprising an elongated support member having attaching flanges at'its opposite ends and extending generally transversely of the ve'hicle with said support having attaching means for attaching it to the vehicle, a dozer blade, a first elongated tubular support for the blade having the blade attached to the outer end thereof, a second elongated tubular support into which the inner end of the first support axially telescopes, a fluid-actuated cylinder and piston unit connected between the first support and the second support for extending and retracting the first support axially relative to the second support, an attaching and guide unit for supporting the second sup port for reciprocating movement axially' in the same general direction as the relative axial telescopic movement of the first and second supports, said attaching and guide unit including a pair of inner and outer spaced attaching and guide brackets, each of the brackets having a guide sleeve with the sleeves of the respective brackets axially aligned and adapted to slidably receive the second support member, each of the brackets having an attaching portion disposed adjacent to and in cooperation with said flanges, and removable bolts connecting said attaching flanges and attaching portions, and a second fluid-actuated cylinder and piston unit connected between the second support and said attaching and guide unit for reciprocating the second support relative to that unit. 

1. A road maintainer attachment adapted to be applied to a suitable vehicle comprising a dozer blade, a first elongated tubular support for the blade having the blade attached to the outer end thereof, a second elongated tubular support into which the inner end of the first support axially telescopes, a fluidactuated cylinder and piston unit axially disposed within the first support and connected to the first support adjacent its outer end and to the second support adjacent its inner end for extending and retracting the first support axially relative to the second support, an attaching and guide unit for supporting the second support for reciprocating movement axially in the same general direction as the relative axial telescopic movement of the first and second supports, said attaching and guide unit including a pair of inner and outer, spaced apart attaching and guide brackets, each of the brackets having a guide sleeve with the sleeves of the respective brackets axially aligned and adapted to slidably receive the second support member, and each of the brackets having an attaching portion adapted to be removably secured to a suitable support on the vehicle, and a second fluid-actuated cylinder and piston unit disposed alongside the second support with its opposite ends connected respectively to the second support adjacent its outer end and to the inner attaching and guide bracket for reciprocating the second support relative to said attaching and guide unit.
 2. An attachment according to claim 1 in which the first and second supports are of rectangular tubular form with the first support being smaller and fitting within the second support, bearings between adjacent walls of the supports carried by the outer end of the second support and the inner end of the first support, said bracket sleeves being of rectangular tubular form and the second support being of smaller cross-section and telescoping within said sleeves, and bearings between adjacent walls of the respective sleeves and said second support.
 3. A road maintainer attachment adapted to be applied to a suitable vehicle comprising an elongated support member having means for mounting on the vehicle and attaching flanges at its opposite ends and extending generally transversely of the vehicle with said support being mounted for adjustment in both horizontal and vertical planes, a dozer blade, a first elongated tubular support for the blade having the blade attached to the outer end thereof, a second elongated tubular support into which the inner end of the first support axially telescopes, a fluid-actuated cylinder and piston unit connected between the first support and the second support for extending and retracting the first support axially relative to the second support, an attaching and guide unit for supporting the second support for reciprocating movement axially in the same general direction as the relative axial telescopic movement of the first and second supports, said attaching and guide unit including a pair of inner and outer spaced attaching and guide brackets, each of the brackets having a guide sleeve with the sleeves of the respective brackets axially aligned and adapted to slidably receive the second support member, each of the brackets having an attaching portion disposed adjacent to and in cooperation with said flanges, and removable bolts connecting said attaching flanges and attaching portions, and a second fluid-actuated cylinder and piston unit connected between the second support and said attaching and guide unit for reciprocating the second support relative to that unit.
 4. A road maintainer attachment adapted to be applied to a suitable vehicle comprising an elongated support member having attaching flanges at its opposite ends and extending generally transversely of the vehicle with said support having attaching means for attaching it to the vehicle, a dozer blade, a first elongated tubular support for the blade having the blade attached to the outer end thereof, a second elongated tubular support into which the inner end of the first support axially telescopes, a fluid-actuated cylinder and piston unit connected between the first support and the second support for extending and retracting the first support axially relative to the second support, an attaching and guide unit for supporting the second support for reciprocating movement axially in the same general direction as the relative axial telescopic movement of the first and second supports, said attaching and guide unit including a pair of inner and outer spaced attaching and guide brackets, each of the brackets having a guide sleeve with the sleeves of the respective brackets axially aligned and adapted to slidably receive the second support member, each of the brackets having an attaching portion disposed adjacent to and in cooperation with said flanges, and removable bolts connecting said attaching flanges and attaching portions, and a second fluid-actuated cylinder and piston unit connected between the second support and said attaching and guide unit for reciprocating the second support relative to that unit. 